Drone Attacks Target Military Base in Iraq and Market in Sudan, Wounding French Soldiers and Killing Civilians

A drone attack on a military base in Makhmour, Iraq, wounded at least six French soldiers on March 12, according to military and local officials. Erbil governor Omed Khoshnaw confirmed the strike targeted the facility located in a district characterized by long-standing territorial disputes. The French army reported the injuries following the late-night incident, which prompted immediate security reviews among international coalition partners. In the direct aftermath, Italy initiated preparations to evacuate its military personnel from a separate base situated near Erbil. Portugal also issued a formal statement of solidarity with the Iraqi government following the escalation in the region. These developments coincide with reports of broader regional instability on March 13, including rocket fire directed at Israel and separate attacks reported in Dubai. The Makhmour district is part of the disputed territories in northern Iraq, claimed by both the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. In October 2023, the area saw significant clashes between Iraqi Ground Forces and Peshmerga fighters over control of the northwestern mountain range. The region has remained a volatile security zone due to the presence of various armed groups and its strategic importance near Erbil. International forces, including French and Italian contingents, have maintained a presence in the area to support regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts.

In a separate incident on March 13, a drone strike at the Adikong market in Sudan killed 11 people and left more than 20 others injured. The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that the strike occurred near the border with Chad, a region increasingly affected by the ongoing Sudanese conflict. According to the humanitarian group, the Sudanese army was responsible for the attack, which reportedly struck fuel reserves at the market, leading to a high number of casualties. This event marks the second deadly drone strike in the Adikong area in less than a month. MSF staff have faced increasing risks in the country, including a February 2026 incident where a staff member suffered minor injuries during an airstrike on a hospital in Lankien. The organization continues to monitor the humanitarian situation as aerial bombardments intensify near the eastern border.

The international response to the strikes highlights the growing concern over drone warfare in both the Middle East and East Africa. While Italy prepares for a potential withdrawal from its Erbil-adjacent base, other allies are evaluating the source of the technology used in these attacks. Reports from Mediapart suggest that the United States and its allies are looking toward experiences in other conflict zones, such as Ukraine, to develop countermeasures against Iranian-manufactured drones. The Erbil governor indicated that the strike in Makhmour was a significant breach of security for the region. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Sudan remains critical as the conflict spills toward the Chadian border. 11 (fatalities) — civilians killed in the Adikong market drone strike Drone Attacks and Regional Tensions: — ; — ; —